Wasteland By Vik Muniz: Film Analysis

The perception and judgements the filmmakers make of each individual picker impacts the way society views the pickers as a whole. In the film, Wasteland, the audience follows Vik Muniz, an artist who introduces art into the lives of a group of recyclable material pickers. Vik utilizes trash to make the pickers into a piece of artwork, which impacts their perspective of art and how they view the way they live and themselves. (Walker) The filmmakers utilize different tools such as shot angles and lighting to allow the audience to better understand each picker differently. The filmmakers want the audience to perceive the pickers as inspiring human beings that have a life outside of the landfill but they can be transformed through means of art. I agree with the chosen perspective because although the art incorporates trash, it’s the people who “live” for the trash who are the real pieces of art.
Suelem, a picker and mother of two, believes that working hard …show more content…
The film adjusted my perspective of how I did not really care about the objects I threw away, I just simply did it. The film allowed me to realize that I need to be more careful and considerate about what I do with my garbage, and whether the item is recyclable or non-recyclable. By documenting my trash for 48 hours, I realized that many of the items I throw in the garbage can be recycled. The trash log opened my eyes to just how many recyclables I throw away, 35% to be exact. The trash log also made me really notice and think about what I throw away, I even felt a sense of guilt throwing away a plastic water bottle. The film also made me think about how I could be proactive in helping and preserving the environment. I could easily limit the use of non-recyclable items I buy or just simply buy products that can replace non-recyclables but actually be